"This is about as mean a trick, and as big a shame as I've ever
seen," she said, hotly. "You know I was brought up with this, and
I never looked at it with the eyes of a stranger before. If ever
I get my fingers on those deeds, I'll make short work of them!"
"And a good job, too!" assented Kate, instantly. "Look out!
There comes Adam."
"I'd just as soon tell him so as not!" whispered Nancy Ellen.
"Which would result in the deeds being recorded to-morrow and
spoiling our trip to-day, and what good would it do you?" said
Kate.
"None, of course! Nothing ever does a Bates girl any good, unless
she gets out and does it for herself," retorted Nancy Ellen
spitefully.
"There, there," said Robert as he came to help Nancy Ellen protect
her skirts in alighting. "I was afraid this trip would breed
discontent."
"What's the trouble?" asked John, as he performed the same service
for Kate.
"Oh, the girls are grouching a little because they helped earn all
this, and are to be left out of it," explained Robert in a low
voice.
"Let's get each one of them a farm that will lay any of these
completely in the shade," suggested John.
"All right for you, if you can do it," said Robert, laughing, "but
I've gone my limit for the present. Besides, if you gave each of
them two hundred acres of the Kingdom of Heaven, it wouldn't stop
them from feeling that they had been defrauded of their birthright
here."
"How would you feel if you was served the same way?" asked John,
and even as she shook hands with Adam, and introduced John
Jardine, Kate found herself wishing that he had said "were."
As the girls had predicted, the place was immaculate, the yard
shady and cool from the shelter of many big trees, the house
comfortable, convenient, the best of everything in sight. Agatha
and Susan were in new white dresses, while Adam Jr. and 3d wore
tan and white striped seersucker coats, and white duck trousers.
It was not difficult to feel a glow of pride in the place and
people. Adam made them cordially welcome.
"You undoubtedly are blessed with good fortune," said Agatha.
"Won't you please enlighten us concerning your travels,
Katherine?"
So Kate told them everything she could think of that she thought
would interest and amuse them, even outlining for Agatha speeches
she had heard made by Dr. Vincent, Chaplain McCabe, Jehu DeWitt
Miller, a number of famous politicians, teachers, and ministers.
Then all of them talked about everything. Adam took John and
Robert to look over the farm, whereupon Kate handed over her hat
for Agatha to finger and try on.
"And how long will it be, my dear," said Agatha to Kate, "before
you enter connubial bliss?"